Rhododendron Airy Fairy

Rhododendron Airy Fairy

Item: HAIRF

in stock In stock

Flowering Month:
March
Flower Colour:
Dark Pink
Height After 10 Years:
100-125cm
Hardiness:
To -15 °C
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3 litre
Available stock: 4
£21.95
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7.5 litre
£34.95
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(H5) A beautiful early flowering plant with glowing pink flowers and reddish spotting on the upper lobe, flowering around March. Glossy olive green leaves, almost deciduous in winter on a plant of upright habit. Height 100-125cm in 10 years. The flowers are widely funnel-shaped, with wavy lobes, about 4 cm across, in clusters of 3 or more. Leaves narrowly elliptic, about 5-7 cm long. 

This plant grows well on Battleston Hill, RHS Wisley Gardens, where it gives a really bright and welcome colour so early in the season.

• Recommended for early flowering, small gardens and mixed borders.
• Habit: upright.
• Group: Rhododendron hybrid.
• Parentage: lutescens X mucronulatum 'Cornell Pink'.
• Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1968).
• Bred by: Mrs F. Maloney. Origin: USA.
• Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6.
• RHS Hardiness Rating: H5.
• How we usually propagate this plant: Cutting.
• RHS Award of Merit 1984

 

Customer Reviews

By on
"Excellent quality plant as usual from Millais. An elegant plant with an open structure. Very attractive pink flowers."
Star Rating 5

Size Guide

Size guide

The Basics

Ideal soil

Acidic soil, good organic content, pH 4.5-6.0. Inkarho range of rhododendrons will tolerate soils up to pH7.5

Sun or Shade

Light dappled shade is best for most varieties.

Shelter

Refer to hardiness rating. Give young plants protection.

Site Selection

Avoid close to trees, roots, invasive weeds, walls, hot patios, dry banks and waterlogged soils. Do not use weed matting or stone mulch.

Plant spacing

Use the height shown in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Allow room for plant to fill out. If planting closer for instant impact, be prepared to move plants after a few years.

Compost

  • 3 litre pot, dig in 10-20 litres of ericaceous compost.
  • 7.5 litre pot, dig in 20-30 litres of ericaceous compost.
  • 70-80cm specimen, dig in 60 litres of ericaceous compost.
  • 100-120cm specimen, dig in 120 litres of ericaceous compost.

Planting depth

Plant high in the ground, with the top of the rootball visible.

Feeding

Slow-release ericaceous feed recommended in March and straight after flowering.

Mulch

Recommended every few years.

Water

The key ingredient! Keep moist all season, especially the critical time at end of June for flower bud initiation. Tap water is better than no water. Heavy dose at least once per week in dry weather.

Drainage

Ensure good drainage in winter, especially with yellow flowering varieties. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Pruning

Rhododendrons and Camellias: Not normally required. Tidy wayward shoots after flowering.

Evergreen azaleas and Bloombux can be clipped into a low hedge.

Magnolias and Acers: Formative pruning when young to shape into a tree or bush.

Deadheading

Remove old flower-heads, particularly on young or weak plants.

For further advice see here

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